YEP named int’l affiliate to Boys & Girls Club of America

The BVI’s Youth Empowerment Programme, more commonly known as YEP, is now an international affiliate of the Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA).

BGCA is a near-two-century-old American organisation that assists persons four to 18 years old.

The affiliation agreement with BCGA allows YEP access to the American organisation’s acclaimed programmes, best practices, assessment instruments, online training and other tools, YEP said in a media release this week.

“We are honoured and thrilled to establish this partnership with one of the world’s most impactful and respected youth development organisations. Thanks to the support of our founders and sponsors and the hard work of our staff and volunteers, YEP has helped thousands of BVI youth. We are eager now to learn from BGCA, which has empowered millions of young people to realize their full potential, ” said YEP’s Executive Director, Stacy Mather.

YEP, in the meantime, became an affiliate after receiving sponsorship from BGCA’s Asbury Park chapter in New Jersey.

Asbury Park is the hometown of YEP’s founder, Dr Henry Jarecki.

“As a native son of Asbury Park [in] New Jersey, I was so pleased to see the BCGA of my hometown welcome into the fold this programme, which we established to aid the youth of my adopted home in the BVI,” Jarecki said.

YEP was established in 2006 and has provided programming and support to more than 3,000 local youths since its inception.